EVs Have Two Horsepower Ratings, But Automakers Hide One

If you've ever shopped for an electric vehicle, you've probably seen a big, bold horsepower number splashed across the brochure. Feels good, right? But here's the thing — your EV actually has two separate horsepower ratings, and automakers are quietly showing you only the one that looks best on paper.

The reason comes down to how electric motors work. EVs can briefly deliver a surge of peak power — think of it like a sprint — but they also have a sustained, continuous power rating that reflects what the motor can maintain over a longer period. Peak power is the headline-grabbing figure you see in ads. Continuous power, which is typically lower, is the one that tells you how the car actually performs once the initial burst fades. Automakers almost universally advertise peak output, not the continuous rating.

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This matters more than you might think. If you're merging onto a highway or doing a quick zero-to-sixty run, peak horsepower is relevant. But if you're towing, climbing a long mountain grade, or driving hard for an extended stretch, the continuous power rating is what actually governs your experience. A car that looks mighty on the spec sheet could feel underwhelming in real-world sustained use.

The practice isn't exactly deceptive in a legal sense — automakers aren't lying — but it does leave buyers without the full picture. Traditional internal combustion engine vehicles don't face this same dual-rating situation, so many shoppers simply don't know to ask for the second number. As EV adoption grows and consumers get savvier, pressure may mount on manufacturers to disclose both figures upfront in a standardized way.

For now, if you're in the market for an EV, it's worth doing a little extra digging before you sign anything. Look for the continuous power rating in the owner's manual or third-party reviews — not just the marketing materials. Continue reading at insideevs.